One-Day Workshop on: Smart Assessments with OBE Approach: Precise Strategies and Exam Design – GEMS Arts and Science College, Malappuram

One-Day Workshop on: Smart Assessments with OBE Approach: Precise Strategies and Exam Design – GEMS Arts and Science College, Malappuram

Introduction

GEMS Arts and Science College, Malappuram, successfully hosted a One-Day National Workshop on “Smart Assessments with OBE Approach: Precise Strategies and Exam Design” on 27 May 2025. The workshop aimed to elevate the assessment literacy of educators by providing deep insights into Outcome-Based Education (OBE), emphasizing intelligent exam design and accurate performance mapping. The event brought together faculty members, academic leaders, and assessment coordinators from institutions across the nation.

Notably, this significant academic event coincided with a landmark moment in the institution’s journey—GEMS Arts and Science College was granted autonomous status on the same day, a proud achievement that reflects its academic excellence and visionary leadership.

Inaugural Ceremony and Welcome Note:

The day began with a warm welcome from the organising committee, establishing an energetic and professional tone for the sessions ahead. The formal inauguration was graced by distinguished dignitaries of GEMS Arts and Science College, who addressed the audience on the pressing need to transform conventional assessment models to align with the evolving OBE paradigm.

Speakers stressed the critical importance of well-aligned assessments in achieving academic excellence, institutional effectiveness, and quality assurance in higher education. Their words resonated with the college’s ongoing commitment to academic innovation and reform.

🔹 Special thanks to Dr. Naveen Mohan, Principal of GEMS, for his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to inclusive and quality education.
🔹 Gratitude to Dr. Finose A, IQAC Coordinator, for the seamless coordination and effective execution of the workshop.

Forenoon Session:

Strategic Alignment of Assessments in OBE

The technical session in the forenoon was delivered by Dr. Mendus Jacob,
MD & CEO – ipsr solutions limited, Director – Valin Technologies (UK, USA, & Canada), and Professor & Director, MCA – Marian College Kuttikkanam (Autonomous).

Dr. Jacob led an engaging and insightful session on aligning Course Outcomes (COs) and Program Outcomes (POs) through precise assessment planning. He also introduced digital tools that can streamline assessment planning and question paper generation, aligned with CO-PO mappings.  Tools like QnSmart i – IPSR’s Smart Question Bank Management Tool provide an efficient way to automate outcome-based question paper creation, blueprinting, and mapping analysis, directly supporting the strategies discussed in the session. He shared practical strategies for aligning assessments with OBE, focusing on precision in exam design and methods to enhance academic quality. The session covered:

• Principles of outcome-based question paper construction
• Smart integration of digital tools for evaluation
• Practical models for scalable and effective assessments

The content was both intellectually rich and practically applicable, drawing excellent feedback from participants.

Afternoon Session:

Hands-On Strategies and Digital Evaluation Tools

In the afternoon, Dr. Jacob continued with a highly interactive workshop, focusing on advanced tools and techniques for exam blueprinting, rubric creation, and digital evaluation.

Highlights included:

• Hands-on training in mapping techniques
• Practical usage of smart tools to analyze student performance
• Institutional collaboration and experience-sharing
• Emphasis on continuous improvement cycles within the OBE model

Participants explored how smart tools such as QnSmart i can assist in generating quality assessment blueprints, automated rubrics, and performance reports, all aligned with OBE standards. The session encouraged active participation and peer learning, enabling attendees to gain hands-on exposure to assessment innovations.

Participation and Interaction:

The workshop attracted enthusiastic participants from a wide range of academic institutions. The sessions were dynamic and collaborative, fostering idea exchange and deep discussions around smart assessment strategies.

Participants greatly appreciated the relevance, depth, and clarity of the content and praised the practical applicability of the models and tools introduced by Dr. Jacob.

Organizational Excellence:

The event was meticulously planned and executed by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and the Examination Cell of GEMS Arts and Science College. The seamless coordination, thoughtful scheduling, and attention to detail were commendable.

A special note of appreciation goes to the faculty and support staff, whose dedication ensured the success of the workshop and reflected the college’s commitment to academic excellence.

Institutional Achievements and Social Impact:

Autonomous Status Granted:

On the same day as the workshop, GEMS Arts and Science College proudly received autonomous status, marking a significant milestone in its journey of academic distinction.

Social Commitment – Women Empowerment Program:

In addition to academic excellence, GEMS is also recognized for its social initiatives. The college actively runs a Women Empowerment Program, offering free classes twice a week for women who were unable to pursue education after marriage. With support and registration through Sree Narayana Open University, the college has empowered over 80 women to resume their academic pursuits in the past year alone.
An inspiring model of education for transformation and inclusion.

Conclusion:

The workshop was an enriching and transformative platform for academic professionals to explore precise strategies in assessment design within the OBE framework. The sessions by Dr. Mendus Jacob offered not just academic insight but practical direction for implementing smart and outcome-aligned assessments in higher education.

This successful event reaffirmed GEMS Arts and Science College’s proactive stance towards academic reforms, inclusivity, and its commitment to nurturing a future-ready, outcome-oriented learning ecosystem.

Benny John Joseph

Benny John Joseph Manager-Business Development in ipsr solutions limited, with 19+ years of experience as Manager in Production, Quality & Marketing & 7+ years in Printing Technology.